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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Genesis 50:22–26. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. The prolonging of Joseph's life in Egypt: he lived to be a hundred and ten years old, Gen 50:22. Having honoured his father, his days were long in the land which, for the present, God had given him; and it was a great mercy to his relations that God continued him so long, a support and comfort to them.
II.The building up of Joseph's family:
he lived to see his great-grand-children by both his sons (Gen 50:23), and probably he saw his two sons solemnly owned as heads of distinct tribes, equal to any of his brethren. It contributes much to the comfort of aged parents if they see their posterity in a flourishing condition, especially if with it they see peace upon Israel, Psa 128:6.
III.The last will and testament of Joseph published in the presence of his brethren, when he saw his death approaching.
Those that were properly his brethren perhaps were some of them dead before him, as several of them were older than he; but to those of them who yet survived, and to the sons of those who were gone, who stood up in their fathers' stead, he said this.
1.He comforted them with the assurance of their return to Canaan in due time: I die, but God will surely visit you, Gen 50:24. To this purport Jacob had spoken to him, Gen 48:21. Thus must we comfort others with the same comforts with which we ourselves have been comforted of God, and encourage them to rest on those promises which have been our support. Joseph was, under God, both the protector and the benefactor of his brethren; and what would become of them now that he was dying? Why, let this be their comfort, God will surely visit you. Note, God's gracious visits will serve to make up the loss of our best friends. They die; but we may live, and live comfortably, if we have the favour and presence of God with us. He bids them be confident: God will bring you out of this land, and therefore,
(1.)They must not hope to settle there, nor look upon it as their rest for ever; they must set their hearts upon the land of promise, and call that their home.
(2.)They must not fear sinking, and being ruined there; probably he foresaw the ill usage they would meet with there after his death, and therefore gives them this word of encouragement: "God will bring you in triumph out of this land at last." Herein he has an eye to the promise, Gen 15:13, Gen 15:14, and, in God's name, assures them of the performance of it.
2.For a confession of his own faith, and a confirmation of theirs, he charges them to keep him unburied till that day, that glorious day, should come, when they should be settled in the land of promise, v. 25. He makes them promise him with an oath that they would bury him in Canaan. In Egypt they buried their great men very honourably and with abundance of pomp; but Joseph prefers a significant burial in Canaan, and that deferred too almost 200 years, before a magnificent one in Egypt. Thus Joseph, by faith in the doctrine of the resurrection and the promise of Canaan, gave commandment concerning his bones, Heb 11:22. He dies in Egypt; but lays his bones at stake that God will surely visit Israel, and bring them to Canaan.
IV.The death of Joseph, and the reservation of his body for a burial in Canaan, Gen 50:26.
He was put in a coffin in Egypt, but not buried till his children had received their inheritance in Canaan, Jos 24:32. Note,
1.If the separate soul, at death, do but return to its rest with God, the matter is not great though the deserted body find not at all, or not quickly, its rest in the grave.
2.Yet care ought to be taken of the dead bodies of the saints, in the belief of their resurrection; for there is a covenant with the dust, which shall be remembered, and a commandment is given concerning the bones.
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Summary
records a poignant moment in Joseph's life, illustrating the abundant fulfillment of God's covenant promises of fruitfulness and longevity to the patriarchs. This verse highlights Joseph's blessed old age, his enduring legacy, and the flourishing of his family line within Egypt, underscoring God's faithfulness in preserving and multiplying His chosen people even in a foreign land.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated near the very end of the Book of Genesis, serving as a concluding testament to Joseph's remarkable life and God's enduring faithfulness. It immediately precedes Joseph's final instructions and death, providing a sense of closure to the patriarchal narratives and setting the stage for the burgeoning nation of Israel in Egypt. Following Jacob's death and burial, Joseph reassures his brothers of God's providential care, reiterating that what they intended for evil, God intended for good (Genesis 50:20). This verse, therefore, acts as a powerful visual confirmation of God's blessing and the ongoing fulfillment of His covenant promises of multiplication, even as the narrative transitions towards the Exodus.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, longevity and the ability to see one's descendants, particularly great-grandchildren, were considered profound blessings and tangible signs of divine favor. A large family was a source of honor, security, and a guarantee of one's legacy. The act of "bringing up children upon one's knees" was a recognized cultural idiom, signifying formal acknowledgment, adoption, or the bestowal of patriarchal blessing and authority, ensuring the children's legitimate place within the family and their inheritance. The setting in Egypt, a foreign land, further emphasizes God's miraculous preservation and multiplication of Jacob's family, despite their being away from the Promised Land.
Key Themes
Genesis 50:23 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes found throughout Genesis. Firstly, it underscores God's covenant faithfulness to the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, particularly the promise of countless descendants (Genesis 15:5). Secondly, it highlights the theme of generational blessing and legacy, emphasizing the joy and significance of seeing one's family line continue and flourish. Finally, it serves as a testament to divine providence, demonstrating how God sovereignly orchestrates events—even Joseph's suffering and relocation to Egypt—to preserve His chosen people and fulfill His ultimate plan for them, setting the stage for their eventual emergence as a mighty nation.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb signifies more than mere physical sight; it implies a profound experience of perceiving, discerning, and witnessing the fulfillment of God's promises. Joseph's "seeing" his great-grandchildren confirms his longevity and the tangible reality of God's blessing upon his lineage, providing a visual testament to the fruitfulness promised to the patriarchs.
This word, appearing multiple times in the verse, is central to the theme of multiplication and legacy. While often translated "son," it encompasses a broader range of descendants, including grandsons and great-grandsons. Its repetition emphasizes the rapid growth and expansion of Joseph's family line, fulfilling the divine promise of numerous offspring and establishing the foundation for the future nation of Israel.
This word is crucial for understanding the idiom "brought up upon Joseph's knees." The knee, in ancient culture, was often associated with birth, strength, and authority. In this context, it points to a symbolic act of formal acknowledgment and patriarchal blessing, signifying the full acceptance and inclusion of these descendants into Joseph's family and, by extension, into the covenant lineage of Israel.
Verse Breakdown
"And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third [generation]:"
This clause highlights Joseph's extraordinary longevity and the remarkable fulfillment of God's promise of fruitfulness. To live long enough to see one's great-grandchildren (the "third generation" from Ephraim, Joseph's son) was considered a profound mark of divine favor and a complete, blessed life in ancient Near Eastern culture. It underscores the rapid growth of the Israelite family in Egypt, indicating their flourishing and expansion, a vital precursor to their emergence as a mighty nation.
"the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees."
This second clause provides further evidence of Joseph's blessed old age and his active role as patriarch. Machir was Manasseh's only recorded son (Genesis 50:23), making these children Joseph's great-great-grandchildren. The idiomatic phrase "brought up upon Joseph's knees" (Hebrew: yullĕdû ʿal birkê Yôsēf) does not imply literal birth, but a symbolic act of formal acknowledgment, adoption, or the bestowal of patriarchal blessing and authority. It signifies Joseph's deep joy, his full acceptance of these descendants, and their legitimate inclusion into the family, ensuring their rightful place within the burgeoning family of Israel.
Literary Devices
The verse employs Idiom through the phrase "brought up upon Joseph's knees," which is a significant cultural expression denoting formal acknowledgment and patriarchal blessing, not literal birth. This Idiom functions as a powerful form of Symbolism, representing Joseph's joy, his active role as patriarch, and the legitimate inclusion of his descendants into the covenant family. The entire verse also serves as a narrative Climax to Joseph's life story, providing a visual and emotional culmination of God's faithfulness to him and his family, emphasizing the themes of longevity, fruitfulness, and the continuity of the Abrahamic covenant.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Genesis 50:23 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the promise of numerous descendants to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite the challenges of famine, slavery, and relocation to a foreign land, God ensured the miraculous multiplication of Jacob's family. This verse highlights the biblical emphasis on generational blessing and the importance of leaving a spiritual and familial legacy, as Joseph's joy in seeing his great-grandchildren underscores the value of family continuity and the passing down of faith. Joseph's life, culminating in this scene, is a grand narrative of divine providence, demonstrating how God preserved Joseph through adversity to preserve his family, ensuring the survival and growth of the nascent nation of Israel, setting the stage for the Exodus. Even as the Book of Genesis closes with the Israelites in Egypt, this verse offers a glimpse of hope, assuring the reader that God's plan for His people continues to unfold, despite their eventual enslavement, leading towards future deliverance and the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant.
Reflection and Application
Genesis 50:23 offers profound lessons for believers today. Firstly, it serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring faithfulness to His promises, even when their full realization spans many years or generations. Joseph's journey from a pit to a palace, and finally to witnessing his great-grandchildren, testifies to God's persistent plan and unwavering care for His people. Secondly, the verse underscores the profound value of family and the inherent joy in seeing one's spiritual and familial legacy continue. It encourages us to invest diligently in future generations, intentionally passing on faith, values, and a heritage of trust in God. Finally, it instills hope in God's sovereign providence; even in circumstances that appear difficult or uncertain, God's overarching plan for His people continues to unfold, offering assurance that His work will ultimately prevail, leading to ultimate fulfillment and deliverance, as Joseph himself foreshadowed in Genesis 50:25.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the phrase "brought up upon Joseph's knees"?
The phrase "brought up upon Joseph's knees" (Hebrew: yullĕdû ʿal birkê Yôsēf) is a significant ancient Near Eastern idiom. It does not imply literal birth, but rather a symbolic act of formal acknowledgment, adoption, or bestowing a patriarchal blessing. When children were placed on a patriarch's knees, it signified that he was taking them under his direct care, legitimizing their place within the family, and conferring upon them his authority and blessing. For Joseph, it demonstrated his acceptance and joy in his expanding lineage, ensuring their full inclusion and inheritance within the family of Israel, much like Jacob had previously adopted Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, as his own in Genesis 48:5.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Joseph's life, culminating in the scene of Genesis 50:23, serves as a powerful type of Christ. Just as Joseph was unjustly rejected by his brothers yet became the providential means of salvation and preservation for his family and many nations, so too Christ, rejected by His own (John 1:11), became the ultimate Savior of humanity. Joseph's providential care for his family, ensuring their survival and multiplication in Egypt, foreshadows Christ's role in preserving His spiritual family, the Church, and bringing them into the promised eternal inheritance. The flourishing of Joseph's lineage, despite being in a foreign land, points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises through Christ, who ensures the spiritual fruitfulness and eternal life of all who are "brought up upon His knees" through adoption into God's family. Through faith in Christ, believers are not merely descendants by blood, but are spiritually "born" into God's family, receiving the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15) and becoming heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29), securing a lineage that transcends earthly generations and culminates in an eternal inheritance.